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Wednesday, October 20, 1999
Habs acquire Dykhuis from Philadelphia
MONTREAL (CP) -- The Montreal Canadiens, having lost three blueliners to injuries, acquired defenceman Karl Dykhuis from the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday in exchange for future considerations.The Flyers had a surplus of defencemen after signing unrestricted free agent Ulf Samuelsson on Monday. Philadelphia also put defenceman Luke Richardson on waivers. Richardson's $2.5 million US salary made him unlikely to be picked up by another team.
"Because we signed Samuelsson, we sent Karl Dykhuis to Montreal for future considerations," said Flyers GM Bob Clarke. "The rules require us to put another player on waivers, so we put Luke Richardson on waivers, with the hope that we don't lose him."
Dykhuis, 27, had one assist and six penalty minutes in six games with the Flyers this season. He was acquired from Tampa Bay last December in exchange for Petr Svoboda. Currently in his eighth NHL season, Dykhuis has 21 career goals and 59 assists
"He's a good young man who wanted to play in Montreal," Canadiens general manager Rejean Houle said of Dykhuis, a native of Sept-Iles, Que. "We're not taking a risk.
"He's not a project. He can step into the lineup right away."
The Habs were looking for help on the blue-line after suffering long-term injuries to Vladimir Malakhov and Patrice Brisebois and with Craig Rivet out three weeks with a broken cheekbone.
"We needed experienced help on defence," said Houle. "We have three guys playing (Francis Bouillon, Miloslav Guren and Stephane Robidas) who have less than 30 NHL games between them."
Dykhuis arrived at the Molson Centre during the Canadiens' game Wednesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. He is likely to see his first action Saturday night in Toronto.
"I grew watching the Canadiens play on Saturday nights and it'll be a thrill to put that jersey on," said Dykhuis, who played junior hockey for two years under coach Alain Vigneault with the Hull Olympiques from 1988 to 1990.
"Now I have to take advantage of the chance I've been given. It's exciting."
Dykhuis, who was drafted in the first round by Chicago in 1990, is a six-foot-three, 215-pounder who has played 357 games over nine seasons.
Houle said he had scouted defencemen with the New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins of late and had called the agent for free agent Mark Tinordi, although no offer was made.
Dykhuis is to earn $800,000 US this season in the second year of a three-year contract.
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